Gauteng’s finest athletic nominees were announced at a Gauteng Sports Awards event held at the Greenhills Sports Stadium in Randfontein on Friday, 3 August.
The nomination process took place between 7 June and 7 July, with members of the public submitting their nominations at various outlets across the province. The winners will be named at a gala awards dinner at Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp on the West Rand on Sunday, 2 September.
“Yet again we want to honour unsung sporting stars of Gauteng who give us the confidence to acclaim the province as the Home of Champions.
The list and type of nominees received shows the growth of the Gauteng Sport Awards, especially in reaching community and development sport,” said Faith Mazibuko, the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
She added, “The aim is to show appreciation for the talents and dedication of the sportsmen and -women, which former President Nelson Mandela described as having ‘the power to inspire and unite people in a way that little else does’. This year’s finalists were short-listed by a panel of independent adjudicators, represented by individuals from the media, academic and sporting fraternity. Futshane Consulting Pty (Ltd) has been appointed as the auditors to monitor this process.”
She continued by saying that this year’s ceremony has been themed ‘Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring the Youth’.
“In keeping with this year’s theme, the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation will also be celebrating the iconic centenary of former President Nelson Mandela, as well as Albertina Sisulu, both of whom were actively and avidly involved in boxing and tennis, respectively,” Mazibuko added.
Mzi Khumalo, Executive Mayor of the Rand West City Local Municipality said he was proud to be part of the ceremony that is aimed at honouring men and women who have shown outstanding performance in sport.
“This occasion represents our nation’s high regard for the sports community of South Africa, and also indicates the government’s commitment to the promotion and development of sport and recreation among all our people,” the Mayor said.
The finalists are as follows:
Sportswoman with a disability
• Maria Combrink – Athletics
• Kgothatso Montjane – Wheelchair Tennis
• Khethiwe Zulu – Wheelchair Basketball
Sportsman with a disability
• Steven Walgenbach – Wheelchair Basketball
• Jacques Joubert – Judo
• Neo Ndlovu – Athletics
Sports team with a disability
• Central Gauteng Blind Cricket Team
• Gauteng Wheelchair Basketball Senior Men’s Team
• Northern’s Deaf Team
Administrator of the Year
• Willem Jacobus (Jaco) Coetzer –Valke/ Falcons Rugby Union
• Siyabonga Ndlovu – Gauteng Sport Association for the Physically Disabled and Visually Impaired
• Moonira Ramathula – Football
Technical Official of the Year
• Daphne Dawn Bird – Aquatics
• Charmaine Ho – Archery
• Mpho Mokhoba – Tennis
Most Promising Player of the Year
• Bianca Meyer – Rugby (Blue Bulls Rugby Union)
• Jesdel Kayembe Passua-Nzambi – Boxing
• Wandisile Simelane – Athletics
• Dalane Bhekani Dube – Volleyball
Most Promising Team of the Year
• Pimville Stars Football Academy Senior Team
• Troyeville Primary School U/13 Boys’ Volleyball Team
• Superfins Swimming Club
Community Media of the Year
• Soweto TV
• Mapepeza Community Media – Printmedia
• Pheli FM
School Sports Athlete of the Year
• Alwande Skhosana – Wheelchair Tennis
• Fernando Booysen – Wrestling (Hoërskool Hugenoot)
• Caitlin Bentley – Rowing
Sports Journalist of the Year
• Charles Baloyi – Media 24
• Obed Philips – Caxton Newspapers
• Mihlali Baleka – IndependentMedia
Community-based Sport & Recreation of the Year
• Mpho Makhoba – Hockey and Football
• Faith and Hope Foundation – Football and Netball
• Moonira Ramathula
Coach of the Year
• Nico Coetzee – Wrestling
• Jenny van Dyk – Netball
• Nkosilathi Moyo – Volleyball
Sports Fan of the Year
• Mamello Constance Makha – Football
• Mmakgabo Maheya – Football
• Melanie Ramjee – Special Olympics South Africa
Sports Team of the Year
• Gauteng Jaguars Netball Premier League Team – Netball
• Motor Sport South Africa – Motorsport
• Johannesburg Spikers Volleyball Academy Men’s Senior Team – Volleyball
Sportsman of the Year
• Kagiso Rabada – Cricket
• Lungi Ngidi – Cricket
• Aphiwe Dyantyi – Rugby
• Martin Erasmus – Wrestling
Sportswoman of the Year
• Kirsten McCann – Rowing
• Refiloe Jane – Football
• Danelle Wentzel – Archery
Life-time achievement awards
The following categories are determined through public voting:
Sports Personality of the Year
• Kgothatso Montjane – Wheelchair Tennis (Sport 09)
• Kagiso Rabada – Cricket (Sport 01)
• William Mokgopo – Cycling (Sport 06)
• Refiloe Jane – Football (Sport 10)
Sports Fan of the Year
• Mamello Constance Makha – Football (Sport 07)
• Mmakgabo Maheya – Football (Sport 05)
• Melanie Ramjee – Special Olympics South Africa (Sport 03)
Sports Programme of the Year
• Withzero2six – Kasie FM (Sport 08)
• Dlala Mzansi – Soweto TV (Sport 02)
• The Home Straight (Sport 04)
To vote for your favourite, SMS ‘Sport’ followed by your nominee code (eg. Sport 02 for Dlala Mzansi) to 49497. SMSes are charged at R1,50 (free SMSes do not apply).
There is no limit to the number of SMSes sent per cellphone number. The competition runs from 2 August to 2 September. Ts&Cs apply.
The prize money is as follows:
R7 500 per finalist (up from R5 000 last year);
R15 000 for the winner per category
R50 000 for the winner of the Sports Personality Award
R50 000 for the Life Time Achiever Award
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